Rifle-carrying attachment.



PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. B. READ. RIFLE CARRYING ATTACHMENT. APPLIUATIDN FILED JUNE 2 1905 G My W m 0.

WWW I PATENTED JAN. 30, 1906.

W. E. READ. RIFLE CARRYING ATTAGHMB APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2) PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM E. READ, OF LIPTON, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO ROLAND J.

HEMMICK, OF LIPTON, CANADA.

RIFLE-CARRYING ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed June 2. 1905. Serial No. ZGSA LE- To all whom, it mayconcern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. READ, a citizen of the Dominion ofCanada, residing at Lipton, in the North-West Territories, Can

ada, have invented certain new and useful mary object of this inventionis to provide means for inseparably connecting the firearm to the personcarrying it, so that both hands are free when the firearm is not inactual use, while the latter at the same time is suspended or supporteddiagonally across the back in such manner that it may be quickly andalmost instantly brought into firing position by releasing the lower ormuzzle end with the left hand and grasping the stock with the right toswing the firearm into position, whereupon it is placed to the shoulder,aimed, and fired without the necessity of detaching it, thus providingmeans which will prevent the firearm from ever dropping out ofreach'even though it should fall from the hands accidentally or forother reasons, thereby affording a thoroughly practical and efficientmeans for carrying the firearm during march or other military service,prevent ing its escape or ready accessibility and at the same timeoffering no hindrance or obstruction to the facility with which thefirearm is reached and brought into firing position. I

With the foregoing objects in view my invention consists of a beltadapted to be strapped around the waist, a strap connected with the beltdesigned to be thrown over the right shoulder with its end dependingloosely and having a socket intended to receive and support a firearmwith the muzzle downward and the stock over the shoulder within easyreach of the hand,and a device connected with the belt for detachablyholding the muzzle end of the firearm in position until the firearm isbrought into use by unfastening the device and placing it in posi tionagainst the shoulder to aim and fire.

My invention further consists in certain novel features of constructionand combina tions of parts, which will be hereinafter described, andpointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure a front view showin the firearmattached atthe rear, the dotted lines illustrating the first position ofthe right hand in grasping the stock to bring the rifle into firingposition. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlargeddetailed view of the attachment, and Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are details ofparts.

A represents the belt adapted to be strapped around the waist, and 1 1indicate pockets located at the rear for carrying cartridges or otherammunition.

B is a strap which-passes from the lefthand side of belt A diagonallyacross over the right shoulder, beneath which it extends for a shortdistance, where it terminates in a holder 2, which is preferably formedby means of awidened-out portion of the leather strap, which is rolledinto the form of a socket, the edges being conveniently fastenedtogether by the lacing 3, which passes through eyelets 4 l and by meansof which the size of the holder may be readily adjusted to the size ofthe portion of the gun or rifle stock which it is intended to receiveand hold. This shoulder-strap B, as it may be termed, is shown as madeintwo sections, buckled together, as at 5, whereby its length may beregulated to the stature of the wearer.

A muzzle-holding strap G is secured. to the side of belt A and providedat its free end with one or more buttonholes 6 6, and a stud 7,projecting from the side of the belt, preferably at the point where theshoulder-strap is attached, is in position tofasten the free end of thestrap, the several buttonholes being provided at different points alongits length in order to regulate the size of the loop thus formed aroundthe muzzle to the position and size of the latter.

In use the belt is buckled snugly around the body just above the hips,and the shoul der-strap with the rifle in the holder muzzle downward islaced over the right shoulder with the small of the butt or grip of therifle approximately at the point of the right shoulder, the muzzle beingfastened by the muzzleholding strap C. In this way the firearm is heldsecurely in place against accidental displacement, while both hands arefree and un 'incumbered to hang freely at the sides or for 1 is 1 ingstrap is grasped by the left hand and un- ICC) fastened from the studand the right hand is raised to grasp the gun or rifle stock. Then bybearing down with the right hand, using the shoulder as a fulcrum, theweapon is swung over the shoulder, caught at the point of balance withthe left hand, the stock elevated to the shoulder, when it is inposition for aiming and firing. In this Way a simple and efiicientaccoutrement is provided for supporting the gun or rifle where itsweight is least felt and it is least in the way, leaving the hands freeand the firearm readily accessible at all times for use as well asattached to the wearer at all times.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A firearm-carrying attachment comprising a belt, a shoulder-strapattached at one end to the belt and its free end adapted to be suspendedover the wearers shoulder, said strap provided with a holder adapted tobe attached to the firearm, and a muzzle-holding strap separate from theshoulder-strap, and carried by the belt.

2. A firearm-carrying attachment comprising a belt, a shoulder-strapattached thereto at one end only, and adapted to depend from oneshoulder of the wearer, said shoulderstrap being "extensible andprovided with a holder adapted to be attached to the firearm to becarried, and a muzzle-holding strap connected with the belt and separatefrom and independent of the shoulder-strap.

3. A firearm-carrying attachment comprising a belt, a shoulder-strappermanently secured thereto at one end only, and comprising two partsadjustably secured together, one having means at its free end forattachment to the firearm to be carried, and a muzzle-holding strapattached to the belt and separate from the shoulder-strap.

4. A firearm-carrying attachment comprising a belt, a shoulder-strap,secured thereto, with one end adapted to hang over the wearers shoulderand having means thereon for attachment to the firearm and amuzzle-holding strap permanently secured at one end to the belt anddetachably connected with the belt at its other end.

5. A firearm-carrying attachment comprising a belt, a shoulder-strapattached at one end to the belt and the other end free and adapted tohang over the shoulder of the wearer, its free end having a holderconstructed and adapted to encircle a portion of the firearm, wherebythe latter is adapted to turn therein.

6. A firearm-carrying attachment comprising a belt, and a shoulder-strapconnected therewith with one end free and adapted to be suspended overthe shoulder of the wearer, said free end terminating in a holder, saidholder being a widenedout portion of the shoulder strap with its edgesbrought together, and adapted to be laced around a portion of thefirearm to be carried.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. READ.

Witnesses:

DONALD H. MODONALD. ROBERT WILLIAMS.j

